Food For Thought

Navajo_Pete

yum 16th October 2008

1 found this helpful

Long-standing vegetarian cafe and restaurant in Covent Garden's Neal Street.

This has been in this same location for many, many years. Owned and managed by a local couple, who are totally hands-on and involved in the business.

The restaurant has built up a loyal following among the local shop workers, office workers, residents and shoppers to fashionable Neal Street. Its reputation is one of mouth-watering, well-prepared veggie meals, salds, and snacks.

Wether you come at lunch time or early evening, the place is likely to be packed, so be prepared to spend a bit of time - no good if you're in a hurry and only have 3 mins! It's well worth the wait, as it's hard to chose anything that isn't delicious. Prices are very reasonable, towards cheap, and given that this is Covent Garden, that's a bargain.

Vanessa and her husband buy tonnes of veg every day, directly from new CG Market, in most cases. The freshness of their soups, casseroles and quiches is legendary.

If you're only going to have one main meal per day and fancy (or restrict yourself to) a healthy, vegetarian option, this is the place to come to, if you're in the area. The take-away soup, rustic bread and a nice veggie stew are just perfect if you have a sunny spot at Seven Dials to eat it and watch the world go by.

seconds

A London institution! 22nd September 2008

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As one of the other reviewers has noted, Food for Thought is a London institution! From the outside it is a tiny restaurant in Neal Street, but the whole basement is in use. Traditionally, you queue upstairs to take food away, and queue down the stairs (and the queue at lunchtimes always reaches down the length of the stairs and along the street) to eat at the benches or on cushions downstairs.

This is a vegetarian’s paradise (they serve only veggie food), but is also a delicious experience for meat eaters. Every day there are 2 or 3 different soups, 3 main meals, and a salad, plus 2 or 3 scrummy desserts. The menu changes each day. You can have anything you like for less than £5, but plan to spend more if it is your first visit, go when you are hungry and try a dessert as well!

hellyphant

Tasty, healthy vegetarian food at Food for Thought 5th September 2008

1 found this helpful

Food for Thought is a small vegetarian cafe on Neal street in Covent Garden, and my favourite lunch-time haunt. It's incredibely popular with local office and shop workers and has many regulars.

On ground level there is a take away counter, behind which you can see staff cooking up fresh pots of lentil curries and spinnach soup and all other kinds of healthy dishes. Every day they serve a mixed salad which I would totally recommend - it normally comes with couscous, pasta, or potatoes so is quite filling. Fresh homemade bread is also available and is often still warm, tasting like it's just come out of the oven.

Prices are good value, especially for central london. A mixed salad and large chunk of fresh bread costs about £3.70.

Downstairs there are tables where you can eat in, although I never have myself. It always looks very crowded and claustrophic.

Also, bear in mind that queues can be long during the lunch hour - often spreading some way down Neal street, so it's best not to go there if you're in a rush. It's alot quieter before 12.30 or after 2pm.

I'm very glad I disvoered Food for Thought. It offers a tasty, healthy alternative to the monotony of yet another lunchtime sandwich.

bee_girl

Yummy 28th August 2008

0 found this helpful

A Vegetarian restaurant in a great spot in Covent Garden. For vegetarians or non vegetarians alike, I think it’s top quality food at very reasonable prices, something you don’t get very often. It also puts to bed all stereotypes about vegetarian food that may exist. However, if you want a long chat with friends with a long side down meal, save for another day. It can get very crowded and hard to get a place. Tables are canteen like and as food is serve yourself it can be a very quick process….deserts are also brilliant though so stay for that!

horseradish

25th March 2007

1 found this helpful

Big grey queues in the big grey rain, big grey plates, big grey food, but about as close to the original Cranks vibe as you'll get.

poolside

25th March 2007

1 found this helpful

food = great and very healthy but ALWAYS go take-out :o)

Frankie

25th March 2007

2 found this helpful

Yes I've been there - and it's been there too, for as long as I can remember. It must have been there since hippies discovered an old dilapidated yard around the corner and set up co-operatives there... I think Neals Yard Bakery still is a co-op?

I reckon it's a pretty good platter for the money. It's a bit like a canteen. You queue at the counter and a big ladel swoops down over your bowl and you get dolloped. About 4 servers work together in an area the size of a washing up bowl - you've got to be impressed, watching them juggle plates and cutlery in perfect harmony.

tristan

23rd March 2007

1 found this helpful

I do like the food here. It's healthy, tasty and with good portions. It's just it's the worst place to sit as it's usually very crowded. Get the take away.

brypoy

veggielicious 9th January 2007

1 found this helpful

hearty veggie food, generous portions of roasted butternut squash, lentils, salads, quiche, soup, all homemade...cosy atmosphere, with little space to eat in meaning you share tables, talk and eat with complete strangers - a rareity in central london!! Best enjoyed away from the lunchtime rush.

sazzle

Your daily 5, and then some! 18th October 2006

5 found this helpful

This place is no secret to anyone who works around Covent Garden, which is a shame because it means you always always have to wait if you want to eat in. The concept is simple: a few good quality interesting vegetarian dishes are available each day, all cooked fresh on the premises. The result is delicious. Everytime I go there I think of the hippie earth mother I never had. Go on a rainy day, order some yummy goodness (like morroccan tagine, thai stir fry, roasted vegetable bake, lasagne... soup soup soup), pay your dosh (usually under a fiver) find a spot and relish the warm feeling from knowing that what you're eating is not only very tasty, it's also very healthy. Finish up with some banana strawberry scrumple or whatever they call it. But don't go on Friday lunch time or I will get annoyed with you for taking up a table I could be sitting on!